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Staples to close 225 stores; no word on specific locations

The Associated Press

Posted:
03/06/2014 11:55:15 AM MST

In this 2011 file photo, a Staples sign is displayed on the front of a store in Portland, Ore. Staples says it will shutter 225 North American stores, about 10 percent of Staples Inc.'s worldwide total of 2,200, by the end of 2015, and the office-supply retailer has started a plan to save about $500 million annually. (The Associated Press)

Staples will shut down more than 10 percent of its stores in North America by the end of next year, the second major chain to announce the mass closing of stores this week and the latest evidence of a retail landscape that is being altered dramatically by the way Americans shop.

The nation's largest office-supply company said Thursday that nearly half of its sales are now generated online, and it is working aggressively to cut costs and become more efficient. It aims to close up to 225 North American stores as part of a plan to save about $500 million by the end of 2015.

Staples would not elaborate on the number of jobs that are being cut, nor the locations of stores that will close. Staples has 16 stores in Colorado, including Loveland and Fort Collins.

It had already closed dozens of stores in the past year.

The recession did heavy damage to chains like Staples, which also face growing competition online as well as from discount stores. But the same thing is happening across the retail sector, no matter if the company is selling clothes, books, or electronics.

Staples has 1,846 stores in North America and Canada, the vast majority in the United States.

Chairman and CEO Ron Sargent said Thursday that his company wasn't giving up on brick-and-mortar stores, believing that customers still want the convenience and service that they can get there.

"That said, stores have to earn the right to stay open," Sargent said. "We are committed to making tough calls when it's necessary."

Those tough calls are being made by other retailers as well.

Two days ago, RadioShack announced plans to close up to 1,100 stores, about a fifth of its U.S. locations, after its losses widened during a dismal holiday season.

In the subcategory of office retail, there is a rapid consolidation taking place, both in physical presence and among one-time rivals.

Staples has cut the size of its typical store in half over the past several years.

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